Winters in our area are two things—very cold and very dry!
Oftentimes, when you hear the term “humidity” you think of hot summers made even hotter with humid conditions—but in the winter, humidity is actually something you want more of. Balancing the humidity in your home no matter what time of the year it is can help in a number of ways. Dry hair, skin, and nails, plus frequent colds and chilly temperatures are all things that can be relieved with the installation of a whole-house humidifier. More on that below.
The Dryness of Winter
When winter progresses and the temperatures start to drop, the air doesn’t have the same capacity to hold moisture. So when there is cold air outdoors and indoors, it’s harder for your home to heat the air efficiently.
The lack of water vapor in the air means there’s also a lack of moisture in your body—making it harder for you to become warm, and stay warm, throughout the season. A whole-house humidifier is a great investment, as it enables you to feel warmer even with your thermostat set to a lower temperature.
Why Dry Air is a Problem
As we alluded to above, dry air decreases your comfort. Since water vapor acts as an insulant, when your home lacks it, it’s much harder for you to feel warm. And that’s not all, dry air also results in:
Dry Skin, Hair, and Nails: When your home is dry, you feel dry too, because there are depleted levels of humidity in your home. The ideal relative humidity level in any home is between 30%-50%, and in the wintertime, this number often drops to below 30%. This causes problems such as dry, brittle hair and nails, chapped lips, itchy skin, sore throats, and more. This is particularly bad for anyone who suffers from dermatitis. You don’t have to be uncomfortable, though!
Longer Cold and Flu Symptoms: Do you know why cold and flu season is in the winter months? It’s because of the lack of humidity in the air dries out your sinuses and lowers your immunity, making it easier for you to catch germs and harder for you to get better.
Poor Sleep: Have you had your spouse or kid tell you that you snore a lot in the winter? This isn’t a coincidence, the likely culprit is dry air—the cold winter air dries out your respiratory system so you’re more prone to snoring and waking yourself up as a result. The right humidity balance will help you breathe easier and feel better!
HVAC Damage: Okay no, dry air does not physically damage your Bergen County, NJ HVAC system. What it does do, however, is make it harder for you to feel warm. So, you adjust your thermostat to get more heat. But if you had the right level of humidity, you wouldn’t have to do this. Low humidity causes you to run your heater more than necessary, wearing down on it faster and leading to increased repair needs.
DB Heating & Cooling, Inc serves the heating and cooling needs of customers throughout Rockland County, NY as well as Bergen County, NJ and surrounding communities. You can count on us for expert services. Contact us today!